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Crossing the line

In its latest act of aggression, the Myanmar army has increased its presence near the no man’s land between Konarpara and Tambru borders, sparking further fear amongst the Rohingya who inhabit the area.

Unfortunately, this is in line with Myanmar’s recent behaviour.

Last month, Myanmar officials had threatened the Rohingya in the no man’s land, an area over which they have no jurisdiction. This showed a clear lack of respect for Bangladesh, and even more so towards the repatriation deal the two had agreed upon.

With its latest move at the border, Myanmar has made it clear that it has no intention of honouring the repatriation deal, and that it has nothing but contempt for its Bangladeshi neighbours.

This comes days after Nobel laureates from around the world condemned the actions of the Myanmar army and asked for the resignation of Aung San Suu Kyi.

Clearly, words from such prominent personalities has not had any effect on Myanmar’s ways.

After what the Rohingya have been put through, and the friendly hand that Bangladesh has extended to work things out, for Myanmar to continue to behave in such manner is inexcusable, and is an insult to Bangladesh.

This is not the way to honour a bilateral agreement, and certainly not the way to set us at ease about the future of the Rohingya.

It is clear that the Myanmar army has no intention of backing down or changing its stance, and Myanmar’s civil administration either cannot or will not step in to fix things.

The recent move is an act of aggression -- not just towards the Rohingya but also towards Bangladesh.